Fluid damper device and apparatus with damper

ABSTRACT

A fluid damper device and an apparatus with thereof are provided. In this fluid damper device, a protruded part of a valve body protrudes from a base part toward an outer side in the radial direction of the turning shaft, and toward one side around an axial line of the turning shaft, and a valve body support part of the turning shaft is equipped with a base part support part between a first protruded part and a second protruded part. An end part on an outer side in the radial direction of the first protruded part is provided with an inclined surface inclined with respect to an inner side portion of the valve body, and a space between the inner side portion and the end part increases from a second direction toward the first direction when the valve body is in the open position.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a fluid damper device in which fluid isfilled between a case and a rotor and an apparatus with a damper.

BACKGROUND ART

In a fluid damper device in which fluid is filled between a case and arotor, a turning shaft of the rotor is disposed on an inner side of acase formed in a bottomed tube shape, and a valve body is disposed inthe turning shaft. When the turning shaft is turned in a first directionand the valve body becomes a closing state, the fluid is going to becompressed and a load is applied to the turning shaft. On the otherhand, when the turning shaft is reversed in a second direction and thevalve body becomes an open state, the fluid goes through and a load isnot applied to the turning shaft (see Patent Literature 1).

CITATION LIST Patent Literature

[Patent Literature 1] Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2010-151306

SUMMARY Technical Problem

In the fluid damper device described above, the present inventor hasexamined a structure that, as shown in FIG. 7, two protruded parts(first protruded part 461 and second protruded part 462) protruded to anouter side in a radial direction are provided in the turning shaft 40and a base part 51 of a valve body 50 is supported between the firstprotruded part 461 and the second protruded part 462. The valve body 50is provided with the base part 51 whose circumferential face in acircular arc-shaped cross section faces an inner side in the radialdirection of the turning shaft 40, and a protruded part 52 which isprotruded from the base part 51 to an outer side in the radial directionof the turning shaft 40 and toward one side (first direction “A”) aroundan axial line of the turning shaft 40. Therefore, a base part supportpart 463 for supporting the base part 51 of the valve body 50 is formedbetween the first protruded part 461 and the second protruded part 462.According to this structure, when the turning shaft 40 is turned in thefirst direction “A” in an open state shown in FIG. 7, the valve body 50is turned in a direction shown by the arrow “A0” with the base part 51as a center and, as a result, the valve body 50 is brought into aclosing state that the protruded part 52 is abutted with an innerperipheral face of the case 20. After that, when the turning shaft 40 isturned in the second direction “B”, the valve body 50 is turned in adirection shown by the arrow “B0” with the base part 51 as a center andthus the valve body 50 is returned to an open attitude shown in FIG. 7.

However, in the structure shown in FIG. 7, the entire inner side portion520 of the protruded part 52 facing an inner side in the radialdirection of the turning shaft 40 is overlapped with an end part 465 onan outer side in the radial direction of the first protruded part 461and thus, when viewed from the first direction “A” side, an area of thevalve body exposed from the first protruded part 461 is narrow.Therefore, when the turning shaft 40 is turned in a closing direction(first direction “A”), fluid pressure applied to the valve body 50 issmall and thus timing when the valve body 50 begins to turn in adirection shown by the arrow “A0” with the base part 51 as a center iseasily delayed.

In view of the problem described above, an objective of the presentinvention is to provide a fluid damper device which is capable ofsmoothly shifting to a closing attitude of the valve body when theturning shaft is turned in a closing direction, and to provide anapparatus with a damper including the fluid damper device.

Solution to Problem

To solve the above-mentioned problem, the present invention provides afluid damper device including a case in a tube shape, a rotor includinga turning shaft structured to section a damper chamber between an innerperipheral face of the case and the turning shaft, and a valve bodywhich is held by a valve body support part of the turning shaft, andfluid which is filled in the damper chamber. The valve body includes abase part provided with a circumferential face in a circular arc-shapedcross section which faces an inner side in a radial direction of theturning shaft, and a protruded part which is protruded from the basepart toward an outer side in the radial direction of the turning shaftand toward one side around an axial line of the turning shaft. The valvebody support part includes a first protruded part which is protruded toan outer side in the radial direction of the turning shaft toward theprotruded part, a second protruded part which is protruded to an outerside in the radial direction of the turning shaft at a position adjacentto the first protruded part on the other side around the axial line ofthe turning shaft, and a base part support part which is opened towardan outer side in the radial direction of the turning shaft between thesecond protruded part and the first protruded part and, in which thebase part is fitted in a turnable state around an axial line parallel tothe axial line of the turning shaft. An end part on an outer side in theradial direction of the first protruded part is provided with aninclined face which is inclined with respect to an inner side portion ofthe protruded part facing an inner side in the radial direction of theturning shaft in a direction so that a space between the inner sideportion and the inclined face is increased from the other side to theone side in a state that the valve body is most inclined to the one sidewith the base part as a center.

In the present invention, an end part of the first protruded part on anouter side in the radial direction is provided with an inclined facewhich is inclined with respect to an inner side portion of the valvebody. A space between the inner side portion of the valve body and theend part (inclined face) of the first protruded part is increased fromthe other side toward the one side in an open attitude in which thevalve body is most inclined to the one side by providing the inclinedface. Therefore, when the valve body is viewed from the one side, anarea of a portion of the valve body exposed from the first protrudedpart is large. Accordingly, when the turning shaft is turned in aclosing direction (the one side), fluid pressure applied to the valvebody is large and thus the valve body is smoothly shifted to a closingattitude with the base part as a center.

In the present invention, it is preferable that an angle between animaginary straight line, which is directed from a center of the turningshaft to a contact position of an end on the other side of the inclinedface with the inner side portion, and the inclined face is set to be notmore than 90°. According to this structure, when the valve body isviewed from the one side, a projected area of the portion of the valvebody exposed from the first protruded part is large. Therefore, when theturning shaft is turned in the closing direction (the one side), fluidpressure applied to the valve body is large and thus the valve body issmoothly shifted to the closing attitude with the base part as a center.

In the present invention, it is preferable that the angle between theimaginary straight line, which is directed from the center of theturning shaft to the contact position of the end on the other side ofthe inclined face with the inner side portion, and the inclined face isset to be not more than 60°. According to this structure, even in a casethat the direction of the fluid pressure applied to the valve body isdispersed due to friction and the like between the fluid and the firstprotruded part, when the turning shaft is turned in the closingdirection (the one side), the fluid pressure applied to the valve bodyis large. Therefore, the valve body is smoothly shifted to the closingattitude with the base part as a center.

In the present invention, it is preferable that the end part of thefirst protruded part is provided with a receiving face which receivesthe inner side portion on its surface between a position where an end onthe other side of the inclined face is contacted with the inner sideportion and the base part support part in the state that the valve bodyis most inclined to the one side with the base part as a center.According to this structure, when the valve body becomes an openattitude in which the valve body is most inclined to the one side withthe base part as a center, the inner side portion of the valve body issupported by a surface of the receiving face. Therefore, in a case thatthe turning shaft is turned to the other side, even when the valve bodyreceives fluid pressure, the valve body is hard to be turned with thecontact position with the first protruded part as a supporting point.Accordingly, even when the rotor is turned in an open direction,floating of the valve body from the turning shaft can be restrained.

An apparatus with a damper including the fluid damper device inaccordance with the present invention is structured so that a cover isattached to a device main body through the fluid damper device.

Advantageous Effects of Invention

In the present invention, an end part of the first protruded part on anouter side in the radial direction is provided with an inclined facewhich is inclined with respect to an inner side portion of the valvebody, and a space between the inner side portion of the valve body andthe end part (inclined face) of the first protruded part is increasedfrom the other side toward the one side in an open attitude in which thevalve body is most inclined to the one side by providing the inclinedface. Therefore, when the valve body is viewed from the one side, anarea of a portion of the valve body exposed from the first protrudedpart is large. Accordingly, when the turning shaft is turned in aclosing direction (the one side), fluid pressure applied to the valvebody is large and thus the valve body is smoothly shifted to a closingattitude with the base part as a center.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an explanatory view showing a Western-style toilet unitincluding a Western-style toilet bowl on which a fluid damper device inaccordance with a first embodiment of the present invention is mounted.

FIGS. 2(a) and 2(b) are perspective views showing a fluid damper devicein accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 3(a), 3(b) and 3(c) are exploded perspective views showing a fluiddamper device in accordance with a first embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIGS. 4(a) and 4(b) are cross-sectional views showing a fluid damperdevice in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 5(a) and 5(b) are explanatory views showing a part of a fluiddamper device in accordance with a first embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory enlarged view showing a valve body and a valvebody support part of a fluid damper device in accordance with a firstembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory enlarged view showing a valve body and a valvebody support part of a fluid damper device in a comparison example.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Embodiments to which the present invention is applied will be describedbelow with reference to the accompanying drawings. In followingdescriptions, regarding a rotor 30, a direction in which a center axisof a turning shaft 40 is extended is referred to as an axial line “L”direction, a side where a case 20 is located in the axial line “L”direction is referred to as one side “L1”, and an opposite side to theside where the case 20 is located (side where the turning shaft 40 isprotruded) is referred to as the other side “L2”.

First Embodiment

(Entire Structure of Apparatus with Damper and Fluid Damper Device 10)

FIG. 1 is an explanatory view showing a Western-style toilet unit 100including a Western-style toilet bowl 1 on which a fluid damper device10 in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention ismounted. FIGS. 2(a) and 2(b) are perspective views showing a fluiddamper device 10 in accordance with a first embodiment of the presentinvention. FIG. 2(a) is a perspective view showing a fluid damper device10 viewed from the other side “L2” in the axial line “L” direction, andFIG. 2(b) is a perspective view showing a fluid damper device 10 viewedfrom one side “L1” in the axial line “L” direction.

A Western-style toilet unit 100 shown in FIG. 1 includes a Western-styletoilet bowl 1 (apparatus with a damper) and a water tank 3. TheWestern-style toilet bowl 1 includes a toilet bowl main body 2, a toiletseat 5 (cover member) made of resin, a toilet cover 6 (cover member)made of resin, a unit cover 7 and the like. Fluid damper devices for atoilet seat and a toilet cover described below are incorporated in aninside of the unit cover 7, and the toilet seat 5 and the toilet cover 6are respectively connected with the toilet bowl main body 2 through thefluid damper device.

As shown in FIGS. 2(a) and 2(b), the fluid damper device 10 includes afluid damper device main body 10 a in a cylindrical columnar shape onone side “L1”. A shaft-shaped connecting part 10 b is protruded from thefluid damper device main body 10 a to the other side “L2” and theconnecting part 10 b is connected with a toilet seat 5 or a toilet cover6. When the toilet seat 5 and/or the toilet cover 6 in a stand-up stateare going to fall down so as to cover the toilet bowl main body 2, thefluid damper device 10 generates resisting force (load) to reduce afalling-down speed of the toilet seat 5 or the toilet cover 6. In thiscase, the connecting part 10 b is formed with two opposing faces in aflat face 10 c, and the toilet seat 5 and toilet cover 6 are preventedfrom being idly turned with respect to the connecting part 10 b by theflat faces 10 c.

(Structure of Fluid Damper Device 10)

FIGS. 3(a), 3(b) and 3(c) are exploded perspective views showing thefluid damper device 10 in accordance with a first embodiment of thepresent invention. FIG. 3(a) is an exploded perspective view showing astate that a rotor 30 and the like are detached from a case 20 andviewed from the other side “L2” in the axial line “L” direction, FIG.3(b) is an exploded perspective view showing a state that valve bodies50 are detached from a turning shaft 40 of the rotor 30 and viewed fromthe other side “L2” in the axial line “L” direction, and FIG. 3(c) is anexploded perspective view showing a state that the rotor 30 and the likeare detached from the case 20 and viewed from one side “L1” in the axialline “L” direction. FIGS. 4(a) and 4(b) are cross-sectional viewsshowing the fluid damper device 10 in accordance with a first embodimentof the present invention. FIG. 4(a) is a cross-sectional view showingthe fluid damper device 10 which is cut along the axial line “L” andFIG. 4(b) is a cross-sectional view showing a state that a damperchamber 11 of the fluid damper device 10 is cut in a directionperpendicular to the axial line “L” and viewed from the other side “L2”in the axial line “L” direction. FIGS. 5(a) and 5(b) are explanatoryviews showing a part of the fluid damper device 10 in accordance with afirst embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5(a) is a perspectiveview showing the rotor 30 which is viewed from one side “L1” in theaxial line “L” direction and FIG. 5(b) is a perspective view showing thecase 20 which is viewed from the other side “L2” in the axial line “L”direction. In FIG. 5(b), two valve bodies 50 are also shown.

As shown in FIGS. 3(a), 3(b) and 3(c) and FIGS. 4(a) and 4(b), the fluiddamper device 10 includes a tube shaped case 20 provided with a bottomwall 21 on one side “L1”, a rotor 30 whose portion on one side “L1” isdisposed on an inner side of the case 20, and a ring-shaped cover 60which closes an opening 29 of the case 20 on the other side “L2”. Thecover 60 is made of resin and is provided with a circular ring-shapedpart 61 and a cylindrical tube part 62 which is protruded to one side“L1” from an inner side of the circular ring-shaped part 61.

In FIGS. 3(a), 3(b) and 3(c), FIGS. 4(a) and 4(b), and FIGS. 5(a) and5(b), the case 20 is made of resin and is provided with a cylindricaltube-shaped body part 22 which is extended toward the other side “L2”from an outer circumferential edge of the bottom wall 21. An innerdiameter of a portion 228 located on the other side “L2” of an innerperipheral face 220 of the body part 22 is set to be slightly largerthan a portion 229 located on one side “L1”.

A center of the bottom wall 21 of the case 20 is formed with a circularrecessed part 210 which is recessed to one side “L1” and turnablysupports an end part 49 on one side “L1” of the turning shaft 40 of therotor 30, and two circular arc-shaped recessed parts 211 which arerecessed to one side “L1” are formed on an outer side in a radialdirection with respect to the recessed part 210. The two recessed parts211 are formed at angular positions displaced from each other by 180° ina circumferential direction.

Two partitioning protruded parts 23 are protruded from the innerperipheral face 220 of the body part 22 to an inner side in a radialdirection at positions displaced in a circumferential direction fromeach of two recessed parts 211. The two partitioning protruded parts 23are formed at angular positions displaced from each other by 180° in thecircumferential direction. In this embodiment, end parts on one side“L1” of both of the two partitioning protruded parts 23 are connectedwith the bottom wall 21. In this embodiment, the partitioning protrudedpart 23 is formed in a trapezoid shape cross section and its dimensionin the circumferential direction (thickness) becomes thinner from anouter side toward an inner side in the radial direction.

The rotor 30 includes a turning shaft 40 whose one side “L1” in theaxial line “L” direction is disposed on an inner side of the case 20 andvalve bodies 50 held by the turning shaft 40. The turning shaft 40 ismade of resin and is provided with a first shaft part 41 located on theinner side of the case 20 and a second shaft part 42 which is extendedon the other side “L2” with respect to the first shaft part 41. An outerdiameter of the first shaft part 41 is larger than that of the end part49 on one side “L1” of the turning shaft 40, and an outer diameter ofthe second shaft part 42 is larger than that of the first shaft part 41.In this embodiment, the end part 49 is formed in a cylindrical tubeshape for relaxing a shrinkage at the time of resin molding. Inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention, an outerdiameter of the second shaft part 42 may be smaller than that of thefirst shaft part 41.

The turning shaft 40 is formed with, between the first shaft part 41 andthe second shaft part 42, a first flange part 43 in a circular shapewhich is adjacently disposed on the other side “L2” to the first shaftpart 41 and a second flange part 44 in a circular shape which faces thefirst flange part 43 on the other side “L2” with a predetermined spacetherebetween. Therefore, a ring-shaped groove 45 is formed between thefirst flange part 43 and the second flange part 44. As a result, when anO-ring 70 is mounted on the groove 45 and then the first shaft part 41of the turning shaft 40 is disposed on the inner side of the case 20,the O-ring 70 is abutted with the portion 229 located on one side “L1”of the inner peripheral face 220 of the body part 22 of the case 20 anda space sandwiched between the case 20 and the turning shaft 40 issealed. Further, a space sectioned by the bottom wall 21 of the case 20and the first flange part 43 of the first shaft part 41 facing thebottom wall 21 on the other side “L2” is sealed as a damper chamber 11.In this case, fluid 12 (viscous fluid) such as oil is filled in thedamper chamber 11. After that, the cylindrical tube part 62 of the cover60 is inserted between the second shaft part 42 of the turning shaft 40and the body part 22 of the case 20 and the cover 60 is fixed by amethod such as welding and, in this manner, the fluid damper device 10is structured.

In this state, the end part 49 on one side “L1” of the turning shaft 40is turnably supported by the recessed part 210 of the bottom wall 21 ofthe case 20 and the second shaft part 42 is turnably supported on aninner side of the cylindrical tube part 62 of the cover 60. Further, apart of the second shaft part 42 is penetrated through the cover 60 andthe connecting part 10 b is structured.

(Structure in Damper Chamber 11)

As shown in FIGS. 4(a) and 4(b) and FIGS. 5(a) and 5(b), in the damperchamber 11, inner side end parts 231 in a radial direction of twopartitioning protruded parts 23 of the case 20 are contacted with anouter peripheral face 410 of the first shaft part 41 of the turningshaft 40.

Two valve body supporting protruded parts 46 are formed from an outerperipheral face 410 of the first shaft part 41 of the turning shaft 40to an outer side in a radial direction at angular positions displaced by180° in a circumferential direction, and a valve body 50 is supported ineach of the two valve body supporting protruded parts 46. Each of thetwo valve body supporting protruded parts 46 is extended in the axialline “L” direction to the first flange part 43 with a portion located bya predetermined dimension on the other side “L2” from the end part 49 onone side “L1” of the turning shaft 40 as a starting point. An end parton the other side “L2” of each of the two valve body supportingprotruded parts 46 is connected with the first flange part 43. In thisembodiment, a width in the circumferential direction of the valve bodysupporting protruded part 46 is narrower on an inner side in the radialdirection than its width on an outer side in the radial direction.

(Structure of Valve Body Support Part 460 and Valve Body 50)

FIG. 6 is an explanatory enlarged view showing the valve body 50 and thevalve body support part 460 of the fluid damper device 10 in accordancewith the first embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 6, a statewhere the valve body 50 is in an open attitude is shown.

As shown in FIGS. 5(a) and 5(b) and FIG. 6, the valve body 50 isprovided with a base part 51 whose circumferential face in a circulararc-shaped cross section faces an inner side in the radial direction ofthe turning shaft 40, and a protruded part 52 which is protruded fromthe base part 51 to an outer side in the radial direction of the turningshaft 40 and obliquely inclined toward one side (first direction “A”)around the axial line “L” of the turning shaft 40. In this embodiment,the protruded part 52 is formed in a shape so as to protrude from a sideof the base part 51 to an outer side in the radial direction and to bebent toward one side (first direction “A”). A thickness of the protrudedpart 52 becomes gradually thinner from a side of the base part 51 towardits tip end. Further, a tip end of the protruded part 52 is formed to bea tip end face 53 having a predetermined thickness in the radialdirection of the turning shaft 40 and the tip end face 53 faces thecircumferential direction. Further, the valve body 50 is formed so thatan inner side portion 520 of the protruded part 52 facing an inner sidein the radial direction of the turning shaft 40 is a continuous surfaceand, in this embodiment, the inner side portion 520 is formed in acontinuous flat face. In accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention, the protruded part 52 may be formed so that its tip end isprovided with no face because its thickness is gradually reduced from aside of the base part 51 to its tip end, or may be formed in a shape sothat its thickness is constant from a side of the base part 51 to itstip end.

On the other hand, a valve body support part 460 which supports thevalve body 50 is formed in a portion on an outer side in the radialdirection of the valve body supporting protruded part 46. In thisembodiment, the valve body support part 460 is provided with a firstprotruded part 461 protruded to an outer side in the radial directionand a second protruded part 462 protruded to an outer side in the radialdirection at a position adjacent to the first protruded part 461 on theother side around the axial line “L” (second direction “B”). The firstprotruded part 461 is protruded toward the protruded part 52 of thevalve body 50. An end part on the other side “L2” of each of the firstprotruded part 461 and the second protruded part 462 is connected withthe first flange part 43. Further, the valve body support part 460 isprovided with a groove-shaped base part support part 463 which is openedtoward an outer side in the radial direction between the first protrudedpart 461 and the second protruded part 462.

The base part support part 463 is formed in a circular arc shape whoseinner peripheral face is curved over an angular range of about 180° ormore. The base part 51 of the valve body 50 is turnably supported by thebase part support part 463 around an axial line of the base part 51(around an axial line parallel to the axial line “L”). In thisembodiment, a width in the circumferential direction of the secondprotruded part 462 is wider than that of the first protruded part 461.Further, a tip end part of the first protruded part 461 is located on aninner side in the radial direction with respect to a tip end part of thesecond protruded part 462. Therefore, the protruded part 52 of the valvebody 50 is located on an outer side in the radial direction of the firstprotruded part 461. Further, a width in the circumferential direction ofthe valve body supporting protruded part 46 is set to be narrower on aninner side in the radial direction with respect to an outer side in theradial direction.

An end part 465 on an outer side in the radial direction of the firstprotruded part 461 is provided with an inclined face 464 which isinclined with respect to the inner side portion 520 in a direction sothat a space between the inner side portion 520 of the protruded part 52and the inclined face 464 is increased from the other side (seconddirection “B”) toward one side (first direction “A”) in a state that thevalve body 50 is most inclined to one side (first direction “A”) withthe base part 51 as a center. In this embodiment, an angle between animaginary straight line “R”, which directs from a center (axial line“L”) of the turning shaft 40 toward a contact position “P” of an end onthe other side (second direction “B”) of the inclined face 464 with theinner side portion 520, and the inclined face 464 is set to be not morethan 90°. The angle “θ” between an imaginary straight line “R”, whichdirects from the center (axial line “L”) of the turning shaft 40 towardthe contact position “P” of an end on the other side (second direction“B”) of the inclined face 464 with the inner side portion 520, and theinclined face 464 is preferably set not more than 60° and, in thisembodiment, for example, set at 46°.

Further, in this embodiment, the end part 465 on an outer side in theradial direction of the first protruded part 461 is provided with areceiving face 466 for receiving the inner side portion 520 between theposition (contact position “P”) where an end on the other side (seconddirection “B”) of the inclined face 464 is contacted with the inner sideportion 520 and the base part support part 463 in an open attitude ofthe valve body 50 shown in FIG. 6. In other words, the end part 465 onan outer side in the radial direction of the first protruded part 461 isprovided with the receiving face 466 which receives from a first portion521 on the base part 51 side of the inner side portion 520 to a secondportion 522 separated from the first portion 521 in a protrudingdirection of the protruded part 52 in the open attitude of the valvebody 50 shown in FIG. 6. In this embodiment, the inner side portion 520is formed in a continuous flat face and the receiving face 466 is alsoformed in a continuous flat face from a portion receiving the firstportion 521 to a portion receiving the second portion 522. The innerside portion 520 may be formed in a curved face and, in this case, it ispreferable that the receiving face 466 is also formed in a curved facein substantially the same shape as the inner side portion 520 from theportion receiving the first portion 521 to the portion receiving thesecond portion 522.

In the open attitude where the valve body 50 is inclined to one side ina circumferential direction (first direction “A”) with the base part 51as a center and is supported by the receiving face 466, the tip end face53 of the valve body 50 is located slightly on the second direction “B”side with respect to a side face 461e in the first direction “A” of thefirst protruded part 461 and is not protruded to the first direction “A”side from the side face 461e in the first direction “A” of the firstprotruded part 461.

(Sealing Structure in Axial Line “L” Direction in Damper Chamber 11)

In FIGS. 3(a), 3(b) and 3(c), FIGS. 4(a) and 4(b) and FIGS. 5(a) and5(b), the valve body 50 is, similarly to the valve body supportingprotruded part 46, extended in the axial line “L” direction and an endpart 56 on the other side “L2” of the valve body 50 is contacted withthe first flange part 43. Therefore, there is almost no gap spacebetween the valve body 50 and the first flange part 43. Accordingly,fluid 12 does not pass between the valve body 50 and the first flangepart 43. On the other hand, an end part 57 on one side “L1” of the valvebody 50 is located slightly on the other side “L2” with respect to anend part on one side “L1” of the valve body supporting protruded part46. Therefore, a little gap space “G0” is secured on one side “L1” withrespect to the valve body 50 between the valve body supporting protrudedpart 46 and the inner peripheral face 220 of the body part 22 of thecase 20. Accordingly, a small amount of the fluid is capable of passingthrough the gap space “G0”.

A small gap space is existed between the end face 417 on one side “L1”of the first shaft part 41 and the end part 467 on one side “L1” of thevalve body supporting protruded part 46 and the bottom wall 21 of thecase 20. However, a first rib (not shown in FIG. 4(a)) formed on the endface 417 on one side “L1” of the first shaft part 41 and the end part467 on one side “L1” of the valve body supporting protruded part 46 iscontacted with the bottom wall 21 of the case 20. Therefore, the fluid12 does not pass between the end face 417 on one side “L1” of the firstshaft part 41 and the bottom wall 21 and between the end face 467 on oneside “L1” of the valve body supporting protruded part 46 and the bottomwall 21.

Specifically, the first rib 16 is abutted with the bottom wall 21 whenthe turning shaft 40 is disposed on an inner side of the case 20 forassembling the fluid damper device 10. Further, in a case that a heightof the first rib 16 (protruding dimension) is too high, the first rib 16is crushed between the bottom wall 21 and the end face 417 on one side“L1” of the first shaft part 41 and between the bottom wall 21 and thevalve body supporting protruded part 46. In this embodiment, the firstrib 16 is contacted with the base wall 21 in a crushed state.

A small gap space is existed between the end face 236 on the other side“L2” of the partitioning protruded part 23 and the first flange part 43of the turning shaft 40 but a second rib (not shown in FIG. 4(a)) formedon the end face 236 on the other side “L2” of the partitioning protrudedpart 23 is contacted with the first flange part 43. Therefore, the fluid12 does not pass through between the end face 236 on the other side “L2”of the partitioning protruded part 23 and the first flange part 43.

Specifically, when the turning shaft 40 is disposed on an inner side ofthe case 20 for assembling the fluid damper device 10, the second rib 17is contacted with the first flange part 43. Further, in a case that aheight of the second rib 17 (protruding dimension) is too high, thesecond rib 17 is crushed between the end part 236 on the other side “L2”of the partitioning protruded part 23 and the first flange part 43. Inthis embodiment, the second rib 17 is contacted with the first flangepart 43 in a crushed state.

The first rib 16 and the second rib 17 are formed in a triangular-shapedcross section before crushed and a width of its root portion is widerthan that of the tip end side in the protruding direction. Further, thefirst rib 16 and the second rib 17 are formed in a trapezoid-shapedcross section after crushed and, even after crushed, the width of theroot portion is wider than that of the tip end side in the protrudingdirection.

As described above, in this embodiment, even when accuracy of theturning shaft 40 and the case 20 and assembling accuracy are notextremely high, in a case that the turning shaft 40 is turned in adirection for generating a load, the fluid can be easily restrained frombeing leaked from a gap space in the axial line “L” direction betweenthe case 20 and the rotor 30. Accordingly, a sealed state in the damperchamber 11 is stabilized and thus time periods when the toilet seat 5and the toilet cover 6 are fallen down can be stabilized. Further, thefluid 12 whose viscosity is low can be used as the fluid 12 and thus aload applied to the valve body 50 and the like can be reduced. Further,the fluid 12 whose viscosity is low is relatively inexpensive and thuscost of the fluid damper device 10 can be reduced.

(Operation)

In the fluid damper device 10 in this embodiment, when the rotor 30(turning shaft 40) is turned in the first direction “A” around the axialline “L”, the valve body 50 receives fluid pressure and turned in thedirection shown by the arrow “A0” with the base part 51 as a center andthe protruded part 52 is moved toward a side of the second protrudedpart 462. As a result, an outer side portion in the radial direction ofthe protruded part 52 is abutted with the inner peripheral face 220 ofthe body part 22 of the case 20. Therefore, in the valve body 50 and thevalve body supporting protruded part 46, movement of the fluid in thesecond direction “B” is prevented and, as a result, a load (resistanceforce) is applied to the rotor 30 (turning shaft 40). Even in this case,a little gap space “G0” is existed between the valve body supportingprotruded part 46 and the inner peripheral face 220 of the body part 22of the case 20 on one side “L1” with respect to the valve body 50.Therefore, in the valve body 50 and the valve body supporting protrudedpart 46, movement of the fluid in the second direction “B” is permittedslightly. Accordingly, although a load is applied, the rotor 30 (turningshaft 40) is permitted to turn in the first direction “A” at a lowspeed.

On the other hand, when the rotor 30 (turning shaft 40) is turned in thesecond direction “B” around the axial line “L”, the valve body 50receives fluid pressure and is turned in a direction shown by the arrow“B0” with the base part 51 as a center and the protruded part 52 ismoved toward a side of the first protruded part 461. As a result, aspace is formed between an outer side portion in the radial direction ofthe protruded part 52 and the inner peripheral face of the body part 22of the case 20. Therefore, in the valve body 50 and the valve bodysupporting protruded part 46, movement of the fluid in the firstdirection “A” is permitted and, as a result, a load is not applied tothe rotor 30 (turning shaft 40).

In this embodiment, the partitioning protruded part 23 and the valvebody supporting protruded part 46 are respectively provided at aplurality of positions (two positions) at equal angular intervals andwith the same number in the circumferential direction. Therefore, thedamper chamber 11 is divided into a plurality of portions (two chambers)and thus a large load can be generated. On the other hand, when thedamper chamber 11 is divided, the number of a position where the fluidis going to leak from a gap space in the axial line direction betweenthe case 20 and the rotor 30 is increased. However, according to thisembodiment, the leakage can be restrained by the first rib 16 and thesecond rib 17 and thus a disadvantage of dividing the damper chamber 11into a plurality of portions can be eliminated. Further, a width in thecircumferential direction of the valve body supporting protruded part 46is narrower on an inner side in the radial direction than an outer sidein the radial direction. Therefore, the valve body supporting protrudedpart 46 is hard to be abutted with an inner side portion in the radialdirection (root portion) of the partitioning protruded part 23 and thusa turnable angle of the rotor 30 can be widened.

(Principal Effects in this Embodiment)

As described above, in the fluid damper device 10 in this embodiment,the protruded part 52 of the valve body 50 is protruded from the basepart 51 toward an outer side in the radial direction of the turningshaft 40 and toward one side (first direction “A”) around the axial line“L” of the turning shaft 40, and the valve body support part 460 of theturning shaft 40 is provided with the base part support part 463 betweenthe first protruded part 461 and the second protruded part 462.Therefore, accompanied with turning of the turning shaft 40, the valvebody 50 is turned with the base part 461 as a center and an openattitude and a closing attitude are obtained.

Further, the end part 465 on an outer side in the radial direction ofthe first protruded part 461 of the turning shaft 40 is provided withthe inclined face 464 which is inclined with respect to the inner sideportion 520 of the valve body 50. A space between the inner side portion520 of the valve body 50 and the end part 465 (inclined face 464) of thefirst protruded part 461 is increased from the other side (seconddirection “B”) toward one side (first direction “A”) by the inclinedface 464 in an open attitude in which the valve body 50 is most inclinedto one side (first direction “A”). Therefore, when the valve body 50 isviewed from the first direction “A” side, an area of the portion of thevalve body 50 exposed from the first protruded part 461 is large.Therefore, when the turning shaft 40 is turned in a closing direction(first direction “A”), fluid pressure applied to the valve body 50 islarge and thus the valve body 50 is smoothly moved to a closing attitudewith the base part 51 as a center.

Especially, in this embodiment, an angle between the imaginary straightline “R” which is directed from the center of the turning shaft 40(axial line “L”) to the contact position “P” of the end on the otherside (second direction “B”) of the inclined face 464 with the inner sideportion 520, and the inclined face 464 is set to be not more than 90°.Therefore, when the valve body 50 is viewed from the first direction “A”side, an projected area of the portion of the valve body 50 exposed fromthe first protruded part 461 is large. Accordingly, when the turningshaft 40 is turned in a closing direction (first direction “A”), fluidpressure applied to the valve body 50 is large and thus the valve body50 is smoothly shifted to a closing attitude with the base part 51 as acenter.

Further, in this embodiment, the angle between the imaginary straightline “R” and the inclined face 464 is set to be not more than 60°, evenin a case that the direction of the fluid pressure applied to the valvebody 50 is dispersed due to friction and the like between the fluid andthe first protruded part 461, when the turning shaft 40 is turned in aclosing direction (first direction “A”), the fluid pressure applied tothe valve body 50 is large. Therefore, the valve body 50 is smoothlyshifted to a closing attitude with the base part 51 as a center.

Further, the inner side portion 520 of the protruded part 52 of thevalve body 50 is supported by the receiving face 466 of the firstprotruded part 461 from the first portion 521 to the second portion 522.Therefore, in a case that the turning shaft 40 is turned in an opendirection (second direction “B”), even when the valve body 50 receivesfluid pressure in the first direction “A”, the valve body 50 is hard tobe turned with the contact position with the first protruded part 461 asa supporting point. Accordingly, even when the rotor 30 is turned in anopen direction, floating of the valve body 50 from the turning shaft 40can be restrained.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST

1 Western-style toilet bowl (apparatus with damper)

10 fluid damper device

11 damper chamber

12 fluid

20 case

21 bottom wall

22 body part

23 partitioning protruded part

30 rotor

40 turning shaft

46 valve body supporting protruded part

460 valve body support part

461 first protruded part

462 second protruded part

463 base part support part

464 inclined face

465 end part

466 receiving face

50 valve body

51 base part

52 protruded part

520 inner side portion

“A” first direction (one side around axial line)

“B” second direction (the other side around axial line)

“L” axial line

1. A fluid damper device comprising: a case in a tube shape; a rotorcomprising a turning shaft structured to section a damper chamberbetween an inner peripheral face of the case and the turning shaft, anda valve body which is held by a valve body support part of the turningshaft; and fluid which is filled in the damper chamber; wherein thevalve body comprises: a base part provided with a circumferential facein a circular arc-shaped cross section which faces an inner side in aradial direction of the turning shaft; and a protruded part which isprotruded from the base part toward an outer side in the radialdirection of the turning shaft and toward one side around an axial lineof the turning shaft; wherein the valve body support part comprises: afirst protruded part which is protruded to an outer side in the radialdirection of the turning shaft toward the protruded part; a secondprotruded part which is protruded to an outer side in the radialdirection of the turning shaft at a position adjacent to the firstprotruded part on the other side around the axial line of the turningshaft; and a base part support part which is opened toward an outer sidein the radial direction of the turning shaft between the secondprotruded part and the first protruded part and in which the base partis fitted in a turnable state around an axial line parallel to the axialline of the turning shaft; and wherein an end part on an outer side inthe radial direction of the first protruded part is provided with aninclined face which is inclined with respect to an inner side portion ofthe protruded part facing an inner side in the radial direction of theturning shaft in a direction so that a space between the inner sideportion and the inclined face is increased from the other side to theone side in a state that the valve body is most inclined to the one sidewith the base part as a center.
 2. The fluid damper device according toclaim 1, wherein an angle between an imaginary straight line, which isdirected from a center of the turning shaft to a contact position of anend on the other side of the inclined face with the inner side portion,and the inclined face is set to be not more than 90°.
 3. The fluiddamper device according to claim 2, wherein the angle between theimaginary straight line and the inclined face is set to be not more than60°.
 4. The fluid damper device according to claim 1, wherein the endpart of the first protruded part is provided with a receiving face whichreceives the inner side portion on its surface between a position wherean end on the other side of the inclined face is contacted with theinner side portion and the base part support part in the state that thevalve body is most inclined to the one side with the base part as acenter.
 5. An apparatus with a damper, comprising: a fluid damperdevice; and a cover a cover body which is attached to a device main bodythrough the fluid damper device; wherein the fluid damper devicecomprising: a case in a tube shape; a rotor comprising a turning shaftstructured to section a damper chamber between an inner peripheral faceof the case and the turning shaft, and a valve body which is held by avalve body support part of the turning shaft; and fluid which is filledin the damper chamber; wherein the valve body comprises: a base partprovided with a circumferential face in a circular arc-shaped crosssection which faces an inner side in a radial direction of the turningshaft; and a protruded part which is protruded from the base part towardan outer side in the radial direction of the turning shaft and towardone side around an axial line of the turning shaft; wherein the valvebody support part comprises: a first protruded part which is protrudedto an outer side in the radial direction of the turning shaft toward theprotruded part; a second protruded part which is protruded to an outerside in the radial direction of the turning shaft at a position adjacentto the first protruded part on the other side around the axial line ofthe turning shaft; and a base part support part which is opened towardan outer side in the radial direction of the turning shaft between thesecond protruded part and the first protruded part and in which the basepart is fitted in a turnable state around an axial line parallel to theaxial line of the turning shaft; wherein an end part on an outer side inthe radial direction of the first protruded part is provided with aninclined face which is inclined with respect to an inner side portion ofthe protruded part facing an inner side in the radial direction of theturning shaft in a direction so that a space between the inner sideportion and the inclined face is increased from the other side to theone side in a state that the valve body is most inclined to the one sidewith the base part as a center; and wherein when the turning shaft isturned from the other side to the one side, the protruded part of thevalve body receives fluid pressure of the fluid and is abutted with theinner peripheral face of the case to apply a load to movement of thecover body through the turning shaft.
 6. The fluid damper deviceaccording to claim 1, wherein the inclined face of the first protrudedpart is formed from an inner side in the radial direction of the turningshaft toward an outer side in the radial direction as going from the oneside to the other side, and when the turning shaft is turned from theother side to the one side, the fluid is directed toward the outer sidein the radial direction of the turning shaft along the inclined face. 7.The fluid damper device according to claim 6, wherein an angle betweenan imaginary straight line, which is directed from a center of theturning shaft to a contact position of an end on the other side of theinclined face with the inner side portion, and the inclined face is setto be not more than 60°.
 8. The fluid damper device according to claim6, wherein the case comprises a bottom wall and a cylindrical tubeshaped body part which is extended in an axial line direction of theturning shaft from an outer circumferential edge of the bottom wall, anend part on a bottom wall side of the second protruded part of the valvebody support part is formed with a rib for preventing the fluid frompassing between the end part of the second protruded part and the bottomwall, and when the turning shaft is disposed on an inner side of thecase, the rib is contacted with the bottom wall in a crushed state. 9.The fluid damper device according to claim 6, wherein the case comprisesa bottom wall and a body part which is formed in a cylindrical tubeshape and is extended in an axial line direction of the turning shaftfrom an outer circumferential edge of the bottom wall, two partitioningprotruded parts are formed so as to protrude from an inner peripheralface of the body part toward an inner side in the radial direction atangular positions displaced from each other by 180° in a circumferentialdirection and thereby two damper chambers are formed between the turningshaft and the inner peripheral face of the body part, the valve bodysupport part is formed from an outer peripheral face of the turningshaft toward an outer side in the radial direction at two angularpositions displaced from each other by 180° in the circumferentialdirection, each of the two valve body support parts is disposed in eachof two damper chambers, and a width in the circumferential direction ofthe valve body support part is narrower on an inner side in the radialdirection with respect to an outer side in the radial direction.
 10. Theapparatus with a damper according to claim 5, wherein an angle betweenan imaginary straight line, which is directed from a center of theturning shaft to a contact position of an end on the other side of theinclined face with the inner side portion, and the inclined face is setto be not more than 90°.
 11. The apparatus with a damper according toclaim 10, wherein the angle between the imaginary straight line and theinclined face is set to be not more than 60°.
 12. The apparatus with adamper according to claim 5, wherein the end part of the first protrudedpart is provided with a receiving face which receives the inner sideportion on its surface between a position where an end on the other sideof the inclined face is contacted with the inner side portion and thebase part support part in the state that the valve body is most inclinedto the one side with the base part as a center.
 13. The apparatus with adamper according to claim 5, wherein the inclined face of the firstprotruded part is formed from an inner side in the radial direction ofthe turning shaft toward an outer side in the radial direction as goingfrom the one side to the other side, and when the turning shaft isturned from the other side to the one side, the fluid is directed towardthe outer side in the radial direction of the turning shaft along theinclined face.
 14. The apparatus with a damper according to claim 13,wherein an angle between an imaginary straight line, which is directedfrom a center of the turning shaft to a contact position of an end onthe other side of the inclined face with the inner side portion, and theinclined face is set to be not more than 60°.
 15. The apparatus with adamper according to claim 13, wherein the case comprises a bottom walland a cylindrical tube shaped body part which is extended in an axialline direction of the turning shaft from an outer circumferential edgeof the bottom wall, an end part on a bottom wall side of the secondprotruded part of the valve body support part is formed with a rib forpreventing the fluid from passing between the end part of the secondprotruded part and the bottom wall, and when the turning shaft isdisposed on an inner side of the case, the rib is contacted with thebottom wall in a crushed state.
 16. The apparatus with a damperaccording to claim 13, wherein the case comprises a bottom wall and abody part which is formed in a cylindrical tube shape and is extended inan axial line direction of the turning shaft from an outercircumferential edge of the bottom wall, two partitioning protrudedparts are formed so as to protrude from an inner peripheral face of thebody part toward an inner side in the radial direction at angularpositions displaced from each other by 180° in a circumferentialdirection and thereby two damper chambers are formed between the turningshaft and the inner peripheral face of the body part, the valve bodysupport part is formed from an outer peripheral face of the turningshaft toward an outer side in the radial direction at two angularpositions displaced from each other by 180° in the circumferentialdirection, each of the two valve body support parts is disposed in eachof two damper chambers, and a width in the circumferential direction ofthe valve body support part is narrower on an inner side in the radialdirection with respect to an outer side in the radial direction.
 17. Theapparatus with a damper according to claim 13, wherein the apparatuswith a damper is a Western-style toilet bowl, and a toilet seat and atoilet cover as the cover body are respectively connected with a toiletbowl main body as the device main body through the fluid damper device.